What you can do when water restrictions pervade.

On the 3rd October this year, Brisbane will see Level 2 water restrictions imposed. What can we do to make a difference in our own homes?

Do you realise we only drink 1% of the drinking quality water. In 2005 99% of that drinking water delivered to our front door is being put on our gardens and down the toilet. 60% is used for outdoor use alone, if we all converted that to be ‘reclaimed water’ (treated grey and black water) what a difference that would make!  We would reduce consumption by over 50% immediately. 18 to 23% is lost through leakages, so if we just fixed our leaky pipes, we could help conserve our most precious resource.

As Australians we need to provide leadership in the realm of Sustainability. We must be visionary enough to say no to this water wastage, when so much of our country is in drought. It is all about good old practical common sense.
What can we do now to help with energy and water conservation in our homes?

Stage 1

1. Understand the orientation of your home, and see what you can adapt in the design to protect your home against the hash ness of the Australian sun. For instance install awnings and screens West facing windows.
2. Understand where the prevailing breezes come from and support the cross ventilation through your home and install vents above doors, internal windows and voids.
3. Create your outdoor area to capture a North to N East aspect. This being to capitalise on the best seasonal climate in this area; protection from our harsh western elements and invite in the warmth of the winter sun orientation.
4. We all need to check all potential sources of water loss on our properties through leaking taps and pipes and address the issue of recycling our water not just preserving it. The bigger debate of recycling not just grey water, but all water is an interesting one. Regulations allow the recycling of black water in Sydney but not Qld, and this is done all around the world.
   Reclaiming black water as well as grey water means we will conserve 20% (when treating just grey) vs. 60% (when treating both). We would cut overall consumption by 50 to 60 %. 
   
5. We can also install water restrictors that slow water flow and change to AAA showerheads. This alone will save over 150 litres of water per shower. Slowing the water flow helps prevent wastage.
   
6. Sweep paths, don’t hose them down. Wash your car on your lawn not on the road or on your driveway.
   
7. Front loading washing machines save at least 50 litres of water per load and use 1/3 of energy.
   
8. Conservation of power through typical use of electricity is another area where Sustainability comes into play.
   The average compact fluorescent light will deliver 8 to 12 watts of power
   Whereas the average low voltage down light (halogen) delivers in excess of 50 to 60 watts. The average incandescent light bulb delivers only 70 to 100 watts and lasts just 150 – 200 hours.
   A halogen light will last 12000 hours.
   Be careful to turn off your computers and TVs, don’t leave them in standby mode, this does use unnecessary power.
   
9. Design gardens to slow down and hold the water as long as possible rather than drain water out. As far as we can don’t be attached to lawns, there are other solutions to ground cover such as native grasses, mulches, rocks and pervious pavements.
   
10. Change your watering system. Hand watering is not better! Throw out your sprinklers and get a drip feed system that goes to the heart of each plant and restrict the water flow, minimise wastage.

So when we have done all this, and we are seeing the benefits of just these small changes, we can move to

Stage 2.

1. Invest in a rainwater tank. Did you know that you can drink water straight from the tank; it does not need to be treated. The tank on its own is no good unless it is used properly. It needs to be able to collect the storm water efficiently but then that storm water must be used regularly otherwise it goes stagnant.  Redirect plumbing systems and send the storm water through to the toilets and washing machines.
   For options on tanks and other environmental solutions, see www.tradelinkenvironmentalsoltuions.com.au
2. 
   Integrate the landscaping into the energy effectiveness of your home• Where possible endeavor to design your pool or ponds to catch the natural air flow of your property and filter through your house to create an air conditioner that is powered purely by nature. Integrate the pool with water harvesting top-up options
   
3. Landscaping that is specifically designed for your home will be the most important investment to alleviate ongoing water costs and energy costs driven by heating and cooling. Not to mention the air quality you surround yourself with.
   
4. Generate air quality through the plants, put plants inside your home to help rid the place of VOC that comes off computers, paints carpets, curtains, etc.
   
5. Install sunshades, screens, utilise the natural breezes, cool the house through air movement, integrated with sensible landscaping, green screens and structures.
   
6. Remove unnecessary walls in your house. Houses should ideally be one room wide; look to see if walls can be removed to support the flow of breezes and flood the space with natural light.

“Sustainability is simply better management. Just makes perfect sense”
Brett McKenzie, managing director and principle of Sustainable Pty Ltd.
"We still take running water from the tap for granted. We all assume because there's a tap, there must be an endless flow of water. We must understand that eventually the flow from the tap may stop and we need wiser ways of managing our water."   “It is false economy to build or renovate a home without considering the likely life costs of any project ie; on going water costs, energy heating and cooling savings. Cheaply grabbed cost savings during construction will be swiftly eaten up by the ongoing costs of making the home liveable and efficient in the future”.

Sustainable “Bringing the built environment to life”